Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated, today inaugurated the 31st edition of the Dubai International Pharmaceuticals and Technologies Conference and Exhibition (DUPHAT 2026), the largest global gathering of its kind for pharmaceutical companies in the Middle East and Africa. Held at Dubai World Trade Centre, the event welcomes more than 25,000 visitors and participants from 85 countries and continues until 27 August.
According to Emirates News Agency, H.H. Sheikh Hasher was accompanied by Dr. Alawi Alsheikh Ali, Director General of Dubai Health Authority, Dr. Amer Sharif, Chief Executive Officer - Dubai Health, President of MBRU and Member - Dubai Health Board of Directors, and Ambassador Prof. Abdulsalam AlMadani, Chairman of DUPHAT and the DUPHAT International Scientific Council (DISC). The event also saw participation from heads of delegations, prominent pharmaceutical industry leaders, senior representatives of elite pharmaceutical manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, pharmacists, specialists, and decision-makers.
DUPHAT 2026 brings together specialists, experts, and decision makers from across the pharmaceutical sector through a comprehensive range of specialised segments. Held alongside DUPHAT, VITASHOW Dubai showcases innovations in dietary supplements and has expanded to include a new conference dedicated to clinical nutrition, the VITASHOW Dubai Nutrition Conference.
The event features more than 1,100 brands, alongside 104 scientific sessions and 12 workshops, in addition to 400 scientific posters presented by university students. Amb. Prof. Abdulsalam AlMadani emphasized the importance of providing a platform that unites the sector's components under one roof, enabling specialists and decision-makers to exchange knowledge and explore solutions and technologies.
DUPHAT 2026 has received official support from the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), highlighting the event's importance in bringing together regulatory authorities, industry representatives, and experts to discuss the pharmaceutical sector's future. This support reflects EDE's commitment to collaboration, regulatory development, and innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Dr. Farida AlKhaja, Senior Adviser, Pharmacy and Ancillary Services, Dubai Health, and Head of Scientific Programme, noted that the DUPHAT 2026 agenda is designed to keep pace with rapid transformations in the sector. The event supports scientific excellence and collaboration between experts and international institutions, contributing to a more advanced and sustainable future for the pharmacy sector.
The Pharma Leadership Forum, organised in collaboration between the Emirates Drug Establishment and the Dubai Health Authority, focuses on regulatory transformation, pharmaceutical innovation, and supply chain excellence. It brings together CEOs, directors general, government officials, and senior executives from leading pharmaceutical institutions and companies.
For over three decades, DUPHAT has evolved with the transformations shaping the pharmaceutical industry. The event attracts international participation and provides a platform for companies and professionals to showcase products, technologies, and solutions, supporting collaboration and growth of the pharmaceutical industry across the Middle East and Africa.
DUPHAT reflects the rapid developments in the pharmaceutical sector by highlighting industry components, focusing on expanding opportunities for engagement and collaboration. Five specialised segments provide comprehensive coverage of the industry and related fields, offering opportunities to explore products, establish partnerships, and gain insight into key trends.
The UAE pharmaceutical market generated $5 billion in revenue in 2025 and is projected to reach $8 billion by 2033, representing a compound annual growth rate of 6.1% from 2026 to 2033. Conventional drugs based on small molecules constituted the largest revenue-generating segment, while biologics and biosimilars are expected to register the fastest growth.
DUPHAT 2026 is organised by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions Org., a member of INDEX Holding, and receives support from leading international institutions and associations in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.